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RSV

What Is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)?

RSV causes cold-like symptoms, but it can sometimes become severe.

Lauren Smith, MAPatricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Updated on January 21, 2025
Featuring Preeti Parikh, MDReviewed by Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH | January 21, 2025

Infants often experience many infections in their first year or two of life, including RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus. RSV is a very contagious virus. Usually, the symptoms resemble a mild cold, but in some cases, RSV can cause serious illness and can be life threatening.

In this video, learn what RSV is, the symptoms, and why it can be so dangerous, according to Preeti Parikh, MD, Pediatrician at Mount Sinai Hospital.

References

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Lauren Smith, MA
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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